Auto-immune diseases can cause heart attacks

If auto-immune diseases are not diagnosed at an early stage, they may cause heart attacks in youths.

If you are suffering from fever for more than two months or joint pain for more than three months, consult a doctor immediately. Repeated occurring of blood in the sputum shouldn’t be ignored either. These may be signs of auto-immune diseases, said professor RN Mishra, head of department of clinical immunology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences.

Addressing the first ever meet of Clinical Immunologist Society of India, Mishra highlighted the importance of early diagnosis so that the patient can be treated in time. “We have three Ms—men, machines and medicines to cure the disease if diagnosed at an early stage. But if the patient approaches us at a later stage, we can only minimise the damage and slower the pace at which the disease grows,” said Mishra.

Professor Vikas Agarwal of SGPGIMS says, “Young women shouldn’t ignore joint pain. It can result in autoimmune diseases. Out of 10 patients, nine are women.”

In 80% of the cases, any abnormality in the body is caused due to infection. Others reasons are hypertension, diabetes and hormonal imbalance.